MEd in Counseling

The purpose of the program in Counseling is to prepare students for effective performance in professional positions in counseling in school and non-school settings. The prospective student should consult the Chair of the Counseling Program prior to enrollment regarding the appropriateness of this curriculum to her or his situation and professional objectives. The program places heavy emphasis on the interpersonal and helping relationship and requires considerable commitment on the part of the student. Once admitted, the student must consult with his or her faculty advisor concerning proper sequencing of courses and licensure requirements.

The Counseling program combines academic preparation in the areas of counseling and guidance and research with practica and internship assignments. Emphasis areas are available in PreK-12 School Counseling, Mental Health Counseling,

Students in both Counseling Concentrations (PreK-12 School and Mental Health) must take the Common Counseling Core, which consists of 36 credit hours. In each of the classes in the following Common Core, Counseling students complete case studies, coursework, research papers and other assignments individualized to their specific concentration area:

In addition to this common core of Counseling classes, students are required to take courses within their concentration as follows:

PreK-12 School Counseling

The PreK-12 School Counseling Program has been designed to meet all the academic requirements for licensure as a PreK-12 Counselor in the state of Tennessee. The PreK-12 School Counseling program is a total of 48 credit hours, consisting of the 36 credit hour Counseling Common Core with an additional 12 hours of specialization in PreK-12 School Counseling, as follows:

The Practicum/Internship requirement consists of 700 total clock hours of Field-Based Experience (Practicum-100 hours; Internship-600 hours). Specific requirements for the Practicum and Internship courses can be found in the Internship/Practicum Application packets. Students are required to be covered by insurance provided with an American Counseling Association student membership. Students are responsible for obtaining their own personal ACA Student Membership.

Students are required by the State Department of Education to pass the Praxis Specialty Area Test in School Counselor with a score of at least 580 to be eligible for Licensure as a PreK-12 School Counselor in Tennessee. Students in other states are responsible for following the licensing policies of their respective governing boards.

Mental Health Counseling

The focus of the Mental Health Counseling program is to prepare counselors as leaders with the knowledge, skills, proficiencies and dispositions to meet the changing counseling needs of clients in the community agency and mental health settings. The purpose of the program is to prepare students for effective performance in professional positions in counseling as encountered within community settings. In addition to the aforementioned 36 core hours students will be required to complete the following:

Graduates of LMU’s Mental Health Counseling program will satisfy the State of Tennessee’s academic course work requirements for licensure in professional counseling (LPC). After graduating, students must pass a national counselor certification test (NCE) and complete post master’s supervision hours prior to LPC licensure, as stipulated by the related Health Licensing Board. Students majoring in Mental Health Counseling are required to be covered by insurance provided with an American Counseling Association student membership. Students are responsible for obtaining their own personal ACA Student Membership.

For more information on the Counseling Program, including application materials, handbooks and syllabi, click here.

Curriculum and Instruction

The purpose of the major in Curriculum and Instruction is to provide opportunities
for students to develop new skills, update knowledge, and engage in professional
development. The program will provide opportunities for candidates
to explore their roles as teachers in a changing society and to continue to develop
their skills in working with school-age students. Students with this major
normally are licensed teachers.

The degree requirements include 33 semester credit hours of successful
coursework. A Program of Study must be filed after official written notification
of admission to graduate studies has been received.

Educational Administration and Supervision
(Leadership License)

The program is designed to license school administrators based on State Board
policy and standards. In order to be eligible for the program, a candidate must
have:

a valid Tennessee Teacher License

three years successful educational experience

basic computer skills

a completed Recommendation for Consideration by a practicing administrator

completed the university application process

Program Application and Admission
All prospective Educational Administration and Supervision (Leadership license)
students must complete the following requirements after being recommended
by their particular school systems:

Submit to LMU a completed Recommendation for Consideration for the Lincoln Memorial University Educational Administration and Supervision
Licensure Program. This form must be completed by a practicing
administrator. When the Recommendation for Consideration form has been
submitted to Lincoln Memorial, an application packet will be mailed to the
student.

Complete the Application for Graduate Education Studies, Educational Administration and Supervision Program form. A $25 application fee is required to be attached to the form. Official transcripts verifying the bachelor’s degree must be forwarded to Lincoln Memorial University from the bachelor’s degree institution.

Complete the Candidate Portfolio requirements and forward to the Graduate Education office.

Candidate Portfolio Requirements

Copy of current teacher license

Evidence of three years successful educational experience

Copy of most recent performance appraisal

Copy of current professional development plan

Evidence of ability to improve student achievement and also demonstrate
leadership in coaching other teachers to raise achievement

Evidence of knowledge about curriculum, instruction, and assessment

A personal statement of career goals and how the preparation program
would assist the candidate in reaching those goals

Recommendation as stated in each partnership agreement

Evidence that describes qualities of collaboration, cooperation, and relationship
building

Demonstration of effective oral and written communication skills
Candidates may select additional information to be included in the portfolio
to demonstrate leadership potential. The portfolio should be submitted to
the graduate office (two paper copies).

Candidates must pass the SLLA test in order to be recommended for the
license as an instructional leader.

The following program of study in Education Administration and Supervision
is designed for candidates who are out-of-state Administration licensure students
or who are Tennessee non-licensure Administration majors: